In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of digital technologies to contain the spread of the virus has increased. However, several government bodies in India have given little importance to the issue concerning patient privacy. In this article for The Wire Science, Sneha P., Senior Associate, IDFC Institute, argues that protecting patient privacy is imperative as India enters its ‘unlock’ phases.
Excerpts below:
“There are many situations where the preservation of patient identity is impossible and unadvised. For example, courts have ruled in favour of limiting the right to privacy of an HIV patient if the patient posed a risk of transmission to their spouse-to-be. However, the nature of personal information that needs to be shared should be carefully considered.”
“The Aarogya Setu app’s privacy policy mentions that data will only be shared with ‘the government’ but doesn’t say which departments – nor is there a clearly defined purpose.”
Read the full article here.
Note: This work was done by the author/s when they were a part of the IDFC Institute and is republished here with permission.
